College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Hebrews 1:4,5
II.
He is superior to the angels Hebrews 1:4 to Hebrews 2:18.
A.
In name: My Son Hebrews 1:4-5.
Text
Hebrews 1:4 having become by so much better than the angels, as He hath inherited a more excellent Name than they. Hebrews 1:5 For unto which of the angels said He at any time,
Thou art My Son,
This day have I begotten Thee? and again,
I will be to Him a Father,
And He shall be to Me a Son?
Paraphrase
Hebrews 1:4 The Son, by Whom God hath spoken the Gospel, is by so much greater than the angels, by how much He hath inherited by descent a more excellent Name than they.
Hebrews 1:5 For although in your scriptures angels have been called the Sons of God, to which of the angels did God ever say, by way of distinguishing Him from all other beings, My Son Thou art; to-day I have begotten Thee? See chap. Hebrews 1:5. And again, I will declare Myself His Father, and Him My Son.
Comment
having become
This suggests a time when He was not better than the angels. When could this time have been?
a.
Perhaps just after the emptying spoken of by Paul. Philippians 2:5-10.
b.
While Christ was in human flesh and before He was refilled with His original glory.
During the time of His humility on earth, He was at least in some respect lower than the angels:
a.
made a little lower than the angels. cf. Hebrews 2:9.
b.
a body didst Thou prepare for Me. cf. Hebrews 10:5.
so much better than the angels
What is meant by so much better? The word in the Greek is Kreithan.
a.
It very likely means a measure of place or position, not quality of being.
b.
Moral or spiritual excellence is not included.
c.
Gloryhonorreverence, He had less while on earth, being obedient to the cross.
d.
Ways in which He is better than angels:
1.
He is the Sonthey are servants. Hebrews 1:5-7
2.
He is worshipped by angels. Hebrews 1:6
3.
He may be addressed by God. Hebrews 1:8
4.
He is a king with a sceptre of righteousness. Hebrews 1:8
5.
He was anointed with the oil of gladness above His fellows. Hebrews 1:9
6.
He is addressed as Lord. Hebrews 1:10
7.
He is seated at the right hand of God. Hebrews 1:13
8.
Angels minister to those who inherit salvation made possible by Christ. Hebrews 1:14
9.
Not to angels did He subject the world to come, Hebrews 2:5
e.
The word better appears frequently in Hebrews:
1.
Better than angels, Hebrews 1:4
2.
Better things. Hebrews 6:9
3.
Better person than Abraham. Hebrews 7:7
4.
Better hope. Hebrews 7:19
5.
Better covenant. Hebrews 7:22
6.
Better covenant and promises. Hebrews 8:6
7.
Better sacrifice. Hebrews 9:23
8.
Better possessions. Hebrews 10:34
9.
Better country. Hebrews 11:16
10.
Better resurrection. Hebrews 11:35
11.
Better things. Hebrews 11:40
12.
Better than that of Abel. Hebrews 12:24
f.
Paul elsewhere says that to depart and be with Christ is better. Philippians 1:23
than the angels
Who are angels?
a.
Generally, it can be said that they are beings less than God, and other than men.
b.
Specifically, here are some facts about them:
1.
They are intelligent beings, showing some characteristics of men:
1 Peter 1:11-12which things angels desire to look into.
2.
They are messengers:
Revelation 4:8-11; Genesis 19:15Message to Lot.
3.
They praise God and sing before Him. Revelation 4:8-11; Revelation 5:9.
4.
They are emotional. Luke 15:7; Luke 15:10: Angels rejoicing over sinners who repent.
5.
They are sexless creatures.
Matthew 22:30neither marry or are given in marriage.
6.
They are creatures of choice.
2 Peter 2:4when they sinned
Jude 1:6kept not their own principality
7.
They seem to be winged creatures, in some instances at least.
a)
Six wings. Isaiah 6:2.
b)
Four wings. Ezekiel 1:6.
c)
Wings. Exodus 25:30; Exodus 37:9
c.
There are two classes of angels:
1.
God's angels who serve:
a)
1 Timothy 5:21the elect angels.
b)
Revelation 14:10holy angels.
2.
Evil angels:
a)
Ephesians 6:12spiritual hosts of wickedness.
b)
Revelation 12:9dragon was cast out and his angels.
A.
Superior to angels in name: My Son
as he hath inherited a more excellent Name
This is a reward for His obedience, and thus His Name is above every name:
a.
What name is foremost in the world but the name of Jesus?
b.
We might argue over the second place name, Paul, Augustine, Lincoln, etc., but Jesus stands alone.
c.
What is the Name referred to here? Jesus, Christ, Immanuel, etc.? The Name is Son, as seen by Hebrews 1:5. Observe the importance of the Name of Jesus:
a.
Acts 4:12In none other is there salvation.
b.
Ephesians 1:21; Philippians 2:9Name above every name.
c.
Philippians 2:10Name to bow before.
d.
Philippians 2:11A Name to confess.
e.
Matthew 28:19Baptism in His name.
f.
Colossians 3:17; Matthew 10:42All good to be in His Name.
g.
John 14:13; John 15:16Prayer in His Name.
h.
Ephesians 5:20Prayer in His Name.
i.
Matthew 18:20Assemble in His Name.
j.
Ephesians 3:14His is the family Name.
for unto which of the angels said He at any time, Thou art My Son
This is a question with an implied answer. He has never at any time said this to any of the angels.
a.
Christ is unique; He is not one of the many hosts of angels, but the only Son of God.
b.
We should not consider Christ as man or angel, but as Son of God.
Thou art my Son
This is a quotation from Psalms 2:7.
Son is the more excellent name spoken of in Hebrews 1:4.
Paul in Acts 13:33 says Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Psalms 2:7.
Mary was told by the angel that her child would be called Son of God,
Luke 1:35. shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
God acclaimed Him as Son twice while He was on earth:
Matthew 3:17at His baptism,
Matthew 17:5at His transfiguration,
When did He become the Son of God?
a.
This is a useless theological question based on the assumption that perhaps once He was not the Son.
b.
The important thing is the fact that He was called the Son as against the fact that no angel was ever referred to as the Son of God.
c.
These words were spoken of Christ as the son of Davidas Man:
1)
As God He was eternally in this relationship.
2)
Isaiah 7:14 spoke of Him as Emmanuel.
this day have I begotten Thee?
The meaning of beget:
a.
It means to procreate as a sire, generate.
b.
It means to produce as an effect.
Paul seems to connect the begetting with the resurrection of Jesus. Acts 13:33-34.
a.
If the resurrection is the begetting, then it is God's declaration of Him as Son referred to in Romans 1:4declared to be the Son of God with power
b.
Thus He was produced from the grave rather than produced as a child in a normal physical sense.
I will be to Him a Father and He shall be to Me a Son
This is a fulfillment of the royal covenant with David. cf.
1 Chronicles 17:13; 2 Samuel 7:14.
Jesus spoke often of this relationship:
Matthew 11:25I thank Thee, Father.
Luke 22:42Father, remove this cup
Luke 23:46Father, into Thy hands
Study Questions
59.
Does having become so imply that one day He was not?
60.
In what way was He below them?
61.
How is Christ so much better than the angels?
62.
Is it quality of which he is speaking, or one of place?
63.
Find in this chapter ways in which He was superior.
64.
How does the author prove that Christ has inherited a more excellent name?
65.
When did God call Jesus his Son?
66.
Does this Psalms 2:7 actually refer to Christ?
67.
What is the day that Christ was begotten?
68.
When did God beget Christ?
69.
What does Romans 1:4 say of his Sonship?
70.
Is the statement of Fatherhood a fulfillment of prophecy?
71.
Did Jesus ever call God Father?
72.
Name some instances when He did.